ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is considering republishing the tax directory of members of parliament and taxpayers, officials confirmed on Saturday.
A formal summary will soon be sent to the federal cabinet for approval.
If approved, the updated directory will be uploaded to the FBR website, making tax details of lawmakers and general taxpayers accessible to the public.
Figures from last fiscal year
According to FBR officials, around 7.6 million tax returns were filed in the last fiscal year. However, out of Pakistan’s estimated population, only 30 to 40 million people actively contribute to the tax net.
Officials noted that millions of filers declare zero taxable income, raising concerns about revenue generation.
Measures to curb tax evasion
FBR sources said new measures are being devised to curb tax evasion, including:
Cross-checking taxpayer data with banks.
Proposals to reward private individuals and companies who help identify cases of evasion.
Technical improvements to streamline tax return submissions.
Officials acknowledged widespread complaints regarding the IRIS portal, particularly the requirement to change login credentials every two months, and assured that these issues would be resolved.
An FBR spokesperson stressed that Pakistan needs to focus not only on increasing tax return filings but also on boosting actual revenues, as a significant gap remains between potential taxpayers and those declaring income.
